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What's After the Movie?
Animated comedy

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants (2025): Cast & Ratings

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants (2025) movie poster

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants is a 2025 animated comedy directed by Derek Drymon, starring Tom Kenny as SpongeBob SquarePants, Gary, Morning DJ, Clancy Brown and Mark Hamill. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $169.3 million worldwide on a $64 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding Achievement for Character Design in an Animated Feature Production at the Annie Awards 2026. Critics gave it 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
78%
worldwide gross
$169.3M
award nomination
1
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The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
Derek Drymon
Original language
English
Budget
$64M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants About?

The premise of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends embark on a grand sea adventure, determined to prove themselves. Eager to impress Mr. Krabs, SpongeBob chases the legendary Flying Dutchman, a mysterious ghost pirate, leading the crew through humorous, swash‑buckling mishaps as they search for the missing SquarePants.

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants Themes & Keywords

· 24 tags
  • fourth part
  • based on tv series
  • cgi animation
  • swashbuckler adventure
  • sea adventure
  • character name in title
  • sequel
  • based on cartoon
  • spongebob squarepants character
  • nickelodeon
  • computer animation
  • 3d animation
+12 more
  • painted cgi
  • cg animation
  • kids family
  • shrekcore
  • slimehouse
  • pirate
  • pirate adventures
  • pirate ship
  • 3d
  • 3 dimensional
  • slapstick
  • animal adventure
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Cast & crew

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants Cast & Characters

Tom Kenny leads the cast as SpongeBob SquarePants, Gary, Morning DJ, with Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs, Pirate, Narrator and Mark Hamill as Flying Dutchman. Directed by Derek Drymon; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants

· 16 more
From the director

More from Derek Drymon

More films directed by Derek Drymon, best-rated first: Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, Santa’s Little Helpers, Danger Planet and SpongeBob SquarePants: Sponge for Hire.

Full filmography
Ratings

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in art & craft (82) and weakest in character & emotion (56).

68 /100

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants Echo Score Breakdown

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants delivers a mixed but generally enjoyable experience, leaning toward positive thanks to its vibrant visuals and lively humor. Critics note its fast‑paced amusement and occasional tonal excess, while user feedback highlights strong animation and moments of genuine laughter. Some reviewers criticize repetitive jokes and uneven storytelling, which temper the enthusiasm. Overall, the film offers a family‑friendly ride that may appeal more to fans than to general audiences seeking depth.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 82

    In terms of art and craft, the film is praised for its vivid animation, detailed world‑building, and energetic direction. Critics and users highlight expressive character designs, colorful underwater settings, and a polished visual style that elevates the cartoon aesthetic. Some reviewers note occasional cheapness in model design and uneven editing. The majority view sees the visual execution as a strong point, contributing to an overall positive impression of the film’s craftsmanship.

  • Character & Emotion 56

    When it comes to character and emotion, reactions are divided. Positive comments cite pitch‑perfect voice performances and moments of heartfelt interaction that resonate with younger viewers. However, several critics and one user criticize the lack of depth, repetitive personalities, and diminished chemistry compared to earlier installments. The mixed sentiment results in a moderate score that reflects both the film’s occasional charm and its shortcomings in delivering engaging character arcs.

  • Story & Flow 62

    The story and flow receive a balanced assessment. Reviewers appreciate the fast‑paced, joke‑filled plot that keeps children entertained, while noting that the narrative can feel repetitive and fails to offer fresh stakes for older audiences. The pacing is generally described as energetic without being overwhelming, but the overall originality is seen as limited. This mixture of strengths and weaknesses positions the storytelling in the middle‑to‑upper range.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    Sensory experience is largely highlighted for its striking visual style, dynamic color palette, and inventive gags. Users commend the animation’s richness and the film’s lively sound design, though one critic mentions an unpleasant soundtrack. The overall sensory impact is considered engaging and supportive of the comedic tone, resulting in a score that leans positively while acknowledging isolated audio concerns.

  • Rewatch Factor 71

    Rewatch factor is viewed favorably, with many users stating they would gladly view the film again for its humor and visual spectacle. Critics also note its enjoyable, fast‑paced nature, though some argue the content lacks lasting memorability. The consensus suggests that while the movie may not be essential viewing repeatedly, it offers sufficient entertainment value to merit occasional re‑engagement, especially for fans and families.

Plot

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants Plot Summary

What happens in The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The program opens with a Ninja Turtles short called Chrome Alone 2: Lost in New Jersey, a cheeky prelude that follows the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as they search for the perfect Christmas gift for Splinter. The quartet discovers knock-off toys based on their adventures, made by a Jersey-based company controlled by a villain named Chrome Dome, an AI robot determined to cash in on their fame. The Turtles quickly realize Chrome Dome can copy their every move, turning their own tricks against them. To outsmart the AI, they stage a clever ruse, coaxing Chrome Dome into mimicking maneuvers that backfire on him.

Full summary

The whole story of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants Box Office & Budget

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants grossed $169.3 million worldwide on a $64 million budget, 2.6 times what it cost. $71.1 million came from the US and Canada and $98.2 million (58%) from the rest of the world.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$169.3M

2.6× its budget

US & Canada
$71.1M
International
$98.2M
Budget
$64M
US & Canada 42% Rest of the world 58%
Awards

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants Awards & Nominations

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding Achievement for Character Design in an Animated Feature Production at the Annie Awards 2026.

1 nomination1 ceremony

  • Annie Awards logo
    Annie Awards 2026 1 nomination
    • Nominated Outstanding Achievement for Character Design in an Animated Feature Production
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the title of the Ninja Turtles short that plays before the main film?

Details

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants Also Known As

35 alternative titles, including “SpongeBob 4: Đi Tìm Bọt Biển” and “La busqueda en los pantalones cuadrados de Bob Esponja”.

Also known as
  • SpongeBob 4: Đi Tìm Bọt Biển
  • La busqueda en los pantalones cuadrados de Bob Esponja
  • Spongebob Movie 4
  • Bob l'éponge, le film : À la recherche de l'éponge perdue
  • Bob Esponja la película: En busca de los pantalones cuadrados
  • SpongeBob: Poszukiwany Kanciastoporty
  • בובספוג הסרט: מחפשים את מכנסמרובע
  • Bob Esponja 4
  • Губка Боб у кіно: У пошуках Квадратних Штанів
  • 海绵宝宝:深海大冒险
  • Μπομπ Σφουγγαράκης: Η Αναζήτηση του Τετραγωνοπαντελονη
  • SpongeBob: Lời Nguyền Hải Tặc, სპანჯბობი კინოში: კვადრატული შარვლის ძიებაში
+23 more
  • SpongeBob: Klątwa pirata
  • Bob L’Éponge – Le Film : Un Pour Tous
  • Tous Pirates !
  • SpongeBob Schwammkopf: Piraten Ahoi!
  • Спондж Боб: Търсят се квадратни гащи
  • Bob Esponja: En busca de los pantalones cuadrados
  • Bob l'Éponge le film : À la recherche de Bob
  • Bob Esponja: Em Busca da Calça Quadrada
  • SpongeBob - Un’avventura da pirati
  • 스폰지밥 무비: 네모바지를 찾아서
  • Spongebob O Filme: À Procura das Calças Quadradas
  • Spužva Bob Film: Potraga za Skockanim
  • Bob Esponja: Una aventura pirata
  • 海綿寶寶:深海尋「寶」
  • Paavo Pesusieni: Syvän meren seikkailu
  • SpongyaBob: Kalózkaland
  • Губка Боб: В поисках квадратных штанов
  • เดอะ สพันจ์บ็อบ มูฟวี่ ภารกิจตามหาสพันจ์บ็อบ
  • 劇場版スポンジ・ボブ 呪われた海賊と大冒険だワワワワワ!
  • 海綿寶寶電影版:尋寶大冒險
  • SüngerBob: Korsan Macerası
  • Spongebob op Piratenpad
  • Sūklis Bobs: Meklējot Kvadrātbiksi

Seen The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants?

FAQ

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants?

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants released?

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants was released on December 19, 2025.

Who directed The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants?

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants was directed by Derek Drymon.

More films by Derek Drymon

Who is in the cast of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants?

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants stars Tom Kenny as SpongeBob SquarePants, Gary, Morning DJ, Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs, Pirate, Narrator and Mark Hamill as Flying Dutchman, among 20 credited actors.

How much did The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants make at the box office?

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants grossed $169.3 million worldwide ($71.1 million domestic, $98.2 million international) on a budget of $64 million.

How is The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants rated?

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic and 2.5/5 on Letterboxd.

Was The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants nominated for any awards?

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants have a post-credit scene?

No. The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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